Celeste's POV
*****
TWO WEEKS LATER~~BLOODOAK ACADEMY.
"Alright, everyone! Take your positions." Professor Amelia clapped once, her voice booming through the hall. "The guests will be here any minute. Let's be on our best behaviour!"
I stood close to a white marble pillar, arms crossed in front of my chest as I blinked at the scene in front of me. I was dressed in a sleeveless silver gown, held by straps on the shoulders, with crystal strings dangling around it.
Not exactly my first choice but my best friend and roommate basically dragged me into it.
The event hall of the Blood Oak Academy was lit with yellow lights, crystal chandeliers glinting like stars above. Tables and chairs were arranged in rows, surrounding the hall and leaving space for a dance floor.
At the extreme end was a stage with a high table and thrones set behind it.
Tonight was a special night. Or so they say. The Annual Lupine Mating Ball.
Werewolves, hybrids and even witches from the academy and several neighbouring packs gathered for this event meant to celebrate the beauty of the mate bond. And, potentially, to find a mate.
A few thousand guests gathered in one space sounded like a fucking nightmare.
"Celeste." A voice chirped through the noise getting louder in the hall, forcing me to turn my neck.
Walking toward me with a bright smile was a girl my age. Short blonde hair, green eyes and a tall figure. She wore a form-fitting, sleeveless, satin black gown, clutching a diamond-encrusted purse close to her stomach.
Willow.
An Alpha's daughter and my best friend.
"How are you feeling?" She placed a hand on my shoulder, her voice softening. "Also, where the heck is that jack ass boyfriend of yours? He's supposed to be—"
"Let's not bring up Luther." I waved dismissively, shaking my head.
But she shoved me lightly. "Girl, please. You literally got hunted down by Vein beasts and even that was barely enough to make him notice your existence."
Ouch.
My lips pressed into a grimace, my fingers gripping tighter on my arms.
"He's... He's probably busy." I muttered, ignoring how even that tasted weird in my mouth. "You know, with him being the new Alpha of his pack. It's all the way in Europe, and he has to go to school here."
Willow rolled her eyes, bringing her gaze to the stage. It was clear she didn't want to talk about him anymore. Or at least, hear me defend him.
"Where's your hot brother anyway?" She changed the topic fluidly, grabbing a glass of champagne from a server who walked past.
She gave the server a curt nod before slouching her shoulders, her smile teasing. "Who knows? It might turn out I'm his fated mate after all."
I gave her a look. The same look I've always given the girl since we became friends and she started fawning over my brother.
"He said he's waiting for my mom and dad at the gates." I shrugged. "And you know you could always talk to him yourself, right? Instead of vaguely trying to get his attention."
"Hey, you can't blame a girl for wanting a romance straight from the books."
"Those books are spurring your delusions, Willow." I pulled out my phone, giggling softly.
Hoping I wasn't getting any notifications because it was on do not disturb, I turned on the screen. Yet nothing. No calls, no texts... Nothing at all from Luther.
I bit my bottom lip so hard I could taste the cherry lip gloss I had on.
"Fuck." I lowered the phone in frustration, bringing my gaze back to Willow who gave me a knowing look.
She took a sip from the flute glass between her fingers before handing it over to me. "You clearly need this."
"I don't need—"
"Ugh, don't fight it." She forced it into my grip, tapping my shoulder. "You say I'm delulu with my book men? Fine. At least book men exist in pages where they can't hurt you. But Luther?"
I closed my eyes, nostrils flaring as I took deep, shuddering breaths.
"He's disappointed you over and over again, Cel." Her grip on my shoulder tightened slightly. "It gets to a point. You've got to tell yourself the truth and wake up."
When my eyes opened again, they were distant. Something ached inside me. The glass in my hand shook, my throat bobbing when I swallowed.
Suddenly the champagne seemed like an escape. So I downed it all in one gulp, the familiar sting of alcohol followed by the sweetness lingering behind my throat.
"Go, girl!" Willow cheered, drawing a few glances at us.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but it wasn't the only thing that was burning. I suddenly got the urge to use the ladies' room.
"I've got to go pee," I mumbled, handing the glass back to her. "But the toilets in this building are probably filled with people—and I'm not exactly in a sociable mood."
"Cel, you're at a party."
"Yeah, with you." I shook my head. "I'll just go to one of the dorm bathrooms. Find us a seat, would you?"
Without another word, I spun on my feet, rushing to the exit.
.
.
Night at Blood Oak Academy was always so lively. But also... Peaceful in a way that made me want to swirl under the moonlight with a ball gown.
A chilly wind prickled my skin as I made my way from the event building toward the residential area. My footsteps were light on the cold cobblestone floor.
The girls' dorm building still had a few people lingering around its old money grandeur. It was three stories high with large gothic-style spires entwined with roots and vines.
Getting inside, I made my way to the final floor, moving through the bright hallways. The lights on this floor seemed to flicker... Or was that just my imagination?
"He really just ignored my existence all day, huh?" A bitter smile curled my lips when I stared at my phone yet again.
Expecting a call. Anything at all, gods damn it!
I grunted, lowering the phone again. And then it finally hit me—
A familiar scent. Pines. Lavender. And manly musk.
What the—That was Luther's scent.
My heart skipped a beat as I froze, my senses scanning through the hallway. Was he... Was he in this building?
What's he doing in the girls' dorm?
I scanned my eyes down the doors, following the scent. He wasn't just in this building. He was right here on the same floor.
'Did he come to my room to find me?' The scent was still strong.
Meaning he was close.
"Luther, what are you doing?" My fingers moved quickly on my phone screen, heart racing as I moved fast toward my room.
Why was the damn thing beating faster now?
His number rang, sparking a light of hope. That light brightened when I heard his phone ringing from my room. But then he hung up.
He fucking hung up.
Blinking, my jaw tensed, fists clenching so hard the phone almost cracked.
"He'd better have a rock-solid explanation…" I stormed, eyes set on my room door.
When I got in front of it, the damn thing was shut. My hand lingered over the doorknob... But then froze midway.
There was another scent.
This one was sweet, maybe honey, maybe something else. It also had a tinge of an exotic perfume I couldn't name. A female.
"Hmph..." A moan slipped past the door, hitting me enough to make my legs numb.
A girl's moan. Followed by the soft, pleasured grunts of a man. Or a boy. My boy—
Luther.
I stood there, torn on what to do. My senses weren't the best without a wolf but I knew what I was hearing. All the gods of trickery couldn't delude me out of this one.
The audacity to do it in my... In my room?!
Tears stung my eyes before I could get a hold of my thoughts. My fingers shook so hard that the phone nearly slipped out of my grip.
It has to be a lie. It really has to. Maybe... Maybe I was mistaking another man's voice for—
"Ugh." Another grunt broke through the brief silence, followed by the unmistakable sound of hips colliding.
A knot tied around my chest.
I couldn't stand here and listen anymore.
With a flick of my wrist, the door telekinetically swung open. I waltzed in, anger burning through the drowning despair.
"Luther!" I screamed, my voice breaking.
The room was dimly lit by a lamp beside my bed. And on the edge of said bed was my so-called boyfriend, his pants down to his knees, his ass bare to the world.
In front of him—leaning on her knees—was a girl who immediately glanced over her shoulder while Luther struggled to pull his pants up.
My teeth ground when the girl's stormy eyes glinted at me with mockery.
Before I knew it, I lunged across the room, my fingers alight with magic.
Raising my right hand, I was about to strike with a spell when Luther's hand wrapped around my wrist, causing a gasp to rip through me.